INDIANAPOLIS —IndyFringe is a rollicking celebration of theatre old and new, edgy and not-so that happens over 11 days, August 14-24, in the Mass Ave Cultural District. It features eight stages presenting comedy, cabaret, dance, drama, magic, music and multi-media performances. The festival exploded in Indianapolis ten years ago and has grown into an annual cultural attraction that continues to draw in record audiences.
Every show is an hour long, with a half hour break so you have time to walk or take a shuttle to the next theatre or visit the Beer Tent, which is at the corner of Mass Ave. and St. Clair. Along the route, buskers (street performers) will keep people entertained (please tip generously). Most theatres are within walking distance of each other, and there is a shuttle to the Cook Theatre on 12th and Central. Parking is available in designated lots.
Pick up a program and pick out the shows you’d like to see. Many of them are for adults, but some are family friendly. Understand that there’s a lot of buzz generated by some shows and they may sell out early, so consider buying online in advance.
This year there will be some changes in the way IndyFringe runs. You don’t need to buy a Backer Button for the festival, although there are collectable 10th Anniversary buttons available for free. This year, prices for individual shows is $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors, and $5 for children under 12. IndyFringe will sell up to 100 percent of the available tickets for each show in advance. Purchase tickets up to 2 hours before each performance at indyfringe.org/fringe14/schedule. Purchase in advance by phone for will call pickup at (317) 869-6611 with credit card. (American Express not accepted, $1 service fee charged per ticket at time of payment). The most popular shows are likely to sell out quickly, so advance sales are encouraged. Venue box offices are CASH ONLY. On site sales for each performance will begin 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
There is an Opening Night promotion — buy two tickets to one show for the price of one ticket via TicketWeb. Find your show on the website, then click the buy ticket link. Then just select the buy one get one adult offer for shows on Opening Night Thursday Aug. 14 and get two adult tickets for half price – two tickets for the price of one regular adult ticket! You must select the Buy One Get One option via TicketWeb for the offer to be valid. Only tickets purchased in advance, online with this method will qualify for the offer.
There are plenty of deals to save you money, including Fiver Passes. Fiver Passes give you 5 tickets for the price of 4! Available at any festival box office. Fiver passes can be redeemed for tickets at each venue box office, and can also be redeemed for advanced bookings only by visiting the main festival office in person located at 735 Massachusetts Ave.
There will also be an opening night party on Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. at the Athenaeum, including a free performer showcase. Lots of the shows will put on a two minute “commercial” for their shows. This is also a great planning tool.
What to see? The staff at the Weekly View will be hitting a lot of the shows, but some already stand out:
• Ben Asaykwee’s one-man show My name is ____ tells the stories of seven extraordinary people through music, dance and humor. The show is based on actual events and people in Indianapolis. At the Fringe Basile Theatre
• Journey of the Kookaburra, a Q Artistry production, is an epic adventure of music spanning decades, telling the story of a simple Aussie girl and her pilgrimage. At the Phoenix Mainstage.
• The Great Bike Race by Zach Rosing Productions is based on true events of the disastrous running of the second Tour de France in 1904. At Theatre on the Square.
• Alice vs. Wonderland by NoExit Performance combines the story of Alice in Wonderland with a staged videogame. At the Cook Theatre.
• A Shame of Thrones, Unscripted is ComedySportz interactive take on Game of Thrones. At Comedy Sportz.
• Darwin vs. Rednecks with Stewart Huff. Huff’s show last year was hilarious, so expect great things again. At Comedy Sportz.
• New Voices by Dance Kaleidoscope gives the talented dancers of the group a change to create their own choreography. At Theatre on the Square Mainstage.
For a full listing of shows, times, and other information, visit www.indyfringe.org.
